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For the first time beginning this month, hunters and trappers in West Virginia will be able to check in their game from their phones or computers.
The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources announced today that the system comes just in time for spring turkey season, which runs from April 27 to May 23.
"Those hunters who still like to talk directly to someone about their hunting experiences can stop by one of the approximately 180 official license agents and check in their game," said DNR Director Bob Fala. "However, they no longer have to bring the animal in with them. What doesn't change is that hunters and trappers still have to follow the time, field tagging and transportation restrictions as listed in the regulations."
To check in game by phone, hunters and trappers will need their DNR ID number, which is valid for their lifetime. That number appears at the top of the license for those who buy a license each year. Lifetime license holders will need to log in to the system at www.wvhunt.com to obtain their DNR ID number, which has already been assigned to them.
Landowners and others who don't need a license can log on to the system or visit a license agent or DNR district office to obtain their number.
When a hunter or trapper has completed the electronic game check process, they will be assigned a 13-digit number that confirms that the game has been checked in properly. This confirmation number must be written down on a field tag or a sheet of paper along with the other information required in the regulations.
According to the DNR, electronic game checking will benefit hunters and trappers by allowing them to hunt later in the day without worrying about driving around to find an open check station and also by allowing them to check in game immediately before dressing and chilling the game to help preserve the freshness.
In addition to helping hunters and trappers, the new system will help DNR personnel with wildlife management duties. Biologists will be able to monitor big game kills each day instead of waiting until they have the time to visit hundreds of check stations to pick up check tags. According to the DNR, not having to visit the check stations a minimum of three times each year will save hundreds of hours of personnel time and thousands of dollars in gasoline.
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